The
global pandemic COVID-19 culminated in escalating biomedical
waste (BMW) worldwide, and the management authorities are struggling
with waste treatment. Bangladesh and India are two densely populated
South Asian developing countries with limited resources. Both countries
face mass community transmission of the disease, with India facing
severe infections and deaths. Predictably, a large population might
sum up to a large amount of COVID-19-related BMW. There is also the
question of capacity, whether the existing BMW policies and regulations
of the regions can manage the BMW strategically driven by the pressure
of the pandemic. Here, we have shown a framework leading to further
environmental and community transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic
if the BMW generated at healthcare facilities and homes is not appropriately
managed. The BMW, such as safety suits or personal protective equipment
(PPE), masks, gloves, and shields, would likely damage the environment
in the long run by creating microplastic pollution. Modification and
modernization of the existing policies, plans, and guidelines on the
proper management of the hospital and household infectious waste is
suggested. Moreover, occupational health and safety assessments for
waste management workers at the hospitals are recommended. Installing
suitable capacity incinerators and related infrastructures are recommended
for appropriate waste management. In the absence of incinerators,
the existing industrial furnaces, cement kilns, and mobile incinerators
can be used with a rapid impact assessment adhering to the appropriate
implementations of the policies and guidelines.
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